Hong Kong at a glance

Top Hong Kong neighbourhoods

Central

The sheer spectacle of Central Hong Kong makes it exhilarating. Surging skyscrapers like the Bank of China Tower dazzle by day, while Lan Kwai Fong's warren of club-crammed streets makes it a hotspot…

The sheer spectacle of Central Hong Kong makes it exhilarating. Surging skyscrapers like the Bank of China Tower dazzle by day, while Lan Kwai Fong's warren of club-crammed streets makes it a hotspot for Hong Kong's party animals when the sun goes down. And if it's good grub you're after, Soho's glitzy restaurants and traditional, almost hidden, steam-filled canteens will be sure to tempt you.

Causeway Bay

A bustling, sensory-explosion of a place, Causeway Bay is a shopper's paradise. Mega malls and epic department stores line the streets – you can't miss the towering 13-storey SOGO center . With i…

A bustling, sensory-explosion of a place, Causeway Bay is a shopper's paradise. Mega malls and epic department stores line the streets – you can't miss the towering 13-storey SOGO center . With its own Times Square (a retail and office complex), this compact shopping district has it all, with many stores staying open past midnight. Listen out for the daily firing of the Noonday Gun, a tradition dating back to 1860.

Wan Chai

A bustling mix of the old and the new, Wan Chai is home to a thriving restaurant and bar scene, with traditional open-air restaurants, quaint tea shops, and fast-food eateries. Take a stroll aroun…

A bustling mix of the old and the new, Wan Chai is home to a thriving restaurant and bar scene, with traditional open-air restaurants, quaint tea shops, and fast-food eateries. Take a stroll around Bauhinia Square and see the enormous, golden bauhinia statue which stands outside the Convention and Exhibition Center. Or experience the city’s art scene, at the Performing Arts Academy on the shimmering waterfront.

North Point

Quieter than some of its neighbors, North Point is a mostly residential area perfect for the budget traveler. A diverse district, there are many delicious types of cuisine on offer in North Point, fr…

Quieter than some of its neighbors, North Point is a mostly residential area perfect for the budget traveler. A diverse district, there are many delicious types of cuisine on offer in North Point, from tasty Cantonese dishes to Indonesian delicacies. Head to the iconic Sunbeam Theater on King’s Road to see some traditional Chinese opera, or enjoy the bustling food markets on Chun Yeung street.

Western District

Experience a taste of traditional Hong Kong is the colorful market-filled streets of the Western District. Head to the bustling Chinese Central Market to haggle over food, and explore the surround…

Experience a taste of traditional Hong Kong is the colorful market-filled streets of the Western District. Head to the bustling Chinese Central Market to haggle over food, and explore the surrounding winding alleyways, crammed with tea shops, herbal pharmacies, and all kinds of knick-knack stores. Home to the world’s longest outdoor escalator, make sure to take the trip to the top and visit some of the surrounding trendy bars.

Mong Kok

Translated as ‘busy corner’, Hong Kong’s Mong Kok district is an exhilarating, seething mass of humanity, tightly packed buildings, and gigantic neon signs. 130,000 people squeeze into each square ki…

Translated as ‘busy corner’, Hong Kong’s Mong Kok district is an exhilarating, seething mass of humanity, tightly packed buildings, and gigantic neon signs. 130,000 people squeeze into each square kilometer, making it the most densely populated district on Earth. Join the fray at the shops and markets – whole streets are dedicated to fashion, technology, or even goldfish. For a breather, head to the Langham Place Mall – less crowded and air-conditioned.

Jordan

Slightly less chaotic than nearby Mong Kok, Jordan is nevertheless a microcosm of Hong Kong life. Locals of various nationalities and cultures swarm the streets, taking advantage of the thousands of…

Slightly less chaotic than nearby Mong Kok, Jordan is nevertheless a microcosm of Hong Kong life. Locals of various nationalities and cultures swarm the streets, taking advantage of the thousands of shops, restaurants, and karaoke bars. At dusk, be sure to visit the Temple Street Market. Stalls sell a range of merchandise, mainly men’s fashion, but the main attraction is the fresh, spicy seafood being doled out at hole-in-the-wall restaurants.

Sha Tin

Located on Shing Mun River, Sha Tin is perhaps best known for its world-class racecourse. This is worth visiting even if horses aren't your thing, because it encircles the landscaped loveliness of Pe…

Located on Shing Mun River, Sha Tin is perhaps best known for its world-class racecourse. This is worth visiting even if horses aren't your thing, because it encircles the landscaped loveliness of Penfold Park. The culture of the New Territories can be explored at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, while the vast malls of New Town Plaza and Sha Tin Plaza are ideal for splurging and window shopping alike.

Hung Hom

Hung Hom is an older area of Kowloon perfect for those wanting to immerse themselves in true Hong Kong living, with many affordable hotels to choose from. With a welcoming residential vibe and infuse…

Hung Hom is an older area of Kowloon perfect for those wanting to immerse themselves in true Hong Kong living, with many affordable hotels to choose from. With a welcoming residential vibe and infused with a local spirit, the neighborhood has not been dominated by larger chain stores, and instead proffers from a varied mix of independent shops and local eateries cooking up steaming bowls of mouthwatering noodles.

Hotel types

Hong Kong hotels

A warren of people-filled pavements, jam-packed elevated walkways, canteen crammed streets, and towering skyscrapers, Hong Kong's a full-on city that bustles 24/7. Designer shops jostle for attention alongside high street names in the city's modern malls, traditional dim sum eateries fight for custom with street vendors brewing brisket beef soup, and market traders clamour and clatter as they try to sell wares. There's also fine food to be had at top notch restaurants and a pumping party atmosphere to enjoy as the sky darkens.

Things to see

Hong Kong's Ferry Terminal is a bustling transport hub where ferries take passengers from the mainland to the island, boats bound for the islands bob along the rippling waters, and cruise ships dock for the day. It's here you can take a ride on the iconic Star Ferry, a must-do when in town, and gaze back at the dazzling Hong Kong skyline with its striking skyscrapers, high-rise hotels, and towering apartment blocks. For a different view of the city, take the tram to the wok-shaped Victoria Peak Tower where the vistas are unbeatable. You can shop, eat, and drink here too at its modern mall. For evening entertainment, Soho's steep, lively streets can't be beaten. Ride the outdoor elevator past flashing neon-signage, buzzing bars, and crammed restaurants before jumping off when a place to party catches your eye. For a day of family-fun, the expansive Ocean Park is the place to be. Buckle up on thrill-inducing rides, marvel at marine life, and catch an animal show here.

Hotels in Hong Kong

The city may be pretty compact, but there's no shortage of places to stay in Hong Kong. As well as its landmark luxury pads, of which there are many, you'll also find plenty of mid-range accommodation here. Most of these will offer convenient amenities like flat-screen televisions, WiFi, and tea and coffee making facilities. With space in the crammed city at a premium, cheap hotels in Hong Kong are often pretty small, but provide an affordable base to explore the city's many sights.

Where to stay

A stay in Hong Kong's Central district will put you in the heart of the city where soaring skyscrapers loom large, modern malls buzz with shoppers, and steam-filled canteens fill with hungry diners. It's here you'll also find Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour with its ferries to the mainland and islands. Wan Chai is a party hotspot in the evenings and very lively, while Causeway Bay's well geared to families with some of the city's biggest shopping malls and the lush green of Victoria Park. For cheap hotels in Hong Kong, mainland Kowloon often offers the most affordable pads and is just a short ferry ride from all the island action.

How to get to

Hong Kong International Airport's a major transport hub and the most likely gateway for those arriving by air. You can reach the city center using the quick and efficient Airport Express train which takes just 24 minutes to Central Station. For a more scenic, and cheaper, journey into the city center, there are plenty of bus services which connect the city and airport via the Tsing Ma suspension bridge and offer sweeping views of Lantau Island.

Most recent review

"As an aircraft photographer I wanted a room with a ramp view. After last occasion when my request was not met, this time I paid extra for an executive room on the 10th floor overlooking the ramp. Happy with room, and staff in executive lounge were excellent. Good variety of drinks and nibbles ava..."

Most recent review

"Front desk and check-in services were ok , just a 8 minutes wait due to trouble making customers demanded for free breakfast and others that were not included in their booking .
Room is big with sofa , desk and coffee table and complimentary fruits .
French toilette, robes and cotton slippers are..."

Most recent review

"We stayed for one week in February, right after Chinese New Year. The hotel was very nice. The front desk staff were very friendly and checked us in with no trouble. The rooms are quite small, and unless your room is on the north side of the hotel, the view is boring. The breakfast buffet is aver..."

Most recent review

"Enjoyable stay. Other than price which is on the high side, everything else is good. Hotel staff are knowledgeable and helpful; staff at reception even initiated putting up child barrier knowing that I have a toddler. Upgraded to deluxe room which offers a good view of fireworks at Disneyland. Ro..."